Great Wall of China
October 28, 2005
Provided by: Marissa Jones
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster; Marissa Jones
The photo above showing the Great Wall of China was taken in August 2005, within 30 km (19 miles) of the town of Si Ma Tai, China -- an exhausting but very inspiring hike. The Great Wall, one of the most impressive manmade wonders of the world, was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. It stretches approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles ) generally from east to west, traversing deserts, grasslands and mountains. This remarkable barrier actually began as a series of independent walls for different states, and it was first referred to as "Great" wall during the Qin Dynasty, more than 2,000 years ago. However, it wasn't until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) that the Wall took on its present form -- it's mainly constructed of brick and granite. Though portions of the wall are now in ruins or missing entirely, the Great Wall is instantly recognized as a symbol of China -- it is to China what the Pyramids are to Egypt.
Related Links: